Why is it important to eat vegetables?

For lunch and for dinner, as a side dish and as an independent one. Vegetables form an integral part of our diet. We know from our childhood that they are incredibly useful. But the question arises: why should we include them in our daily diet? What is there in them that is not contained in other products? Do they contain anything that can not be found in other products?

Despite the fact that the number of vegans and vegetarians is increasing every day, attacks on them do not stop. Many doctors and nutritionists say that plant foods do not contain enough vitamins and minerals necessary for the proper development and functioning of the body. Without eating fish and meat, a man receives less iron, calcium, vitamin K, omega-3, vitamin B12, and fat-soluble vitamins such as A and D

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And in fact, in some cases, vegetables can not provide us with the most necessary minerals and vitamins in the right amount. Let’s remember beef liver that contains several times more vitamin A than carrots.

When we think about vitamin C, lemons and oranges immediately come to our mind. But did you know that this vitamin is also found in offal and seafood, which is still a source of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for health and beauty. You will not be able to find them in vegetables, except, perhaps, the porcelain garden, which grows right under our feet. Its nutritional value and benefits were known even in the time of Hippocrates. Leaves of young plants are eaten fresh, added to scrambled eggs, salads, soups, and also salted and marinated. Vegetarians should pay special attention to this plant.

Another vitamin, which is almost impossible to find in plants is vitamin D. Its only vegetable source is the white mushroom. They are truly unique, because they also contain B vitamins (including B12).

It is known that protein is also found in plants, for example in cabbage, spinach or legumes (and even in significant amounts), but doctors say that the vegetable protein is inferior to the animal.

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At the same time vegetables are healthy slow carbohydrates - a source of energy. In fact, most of the diet should consist precisely of them, and not of bread, potatoes or sugar. They will not raise the level of glucose in the blood (except starchy), which is very important for people with diabetes.

Unlike protein, amino acids and regular fats such as omega-3 and omega-6, carbohydrates do not play a vital role for survival.

Nevertheless, we need vegetables because they contain vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients - compounds that strengthen health and help the body cope with cancer, autoimmune, cardiovascular, infectious and many other chronic diseases. You can even say that vegetables are their only source.

In addition, greens and vegetables are also a source of dietary fiber needed to create a healthy environment in the intestine. Since dietary fibers slowly move through the digestive system, they help to cleanse the body of toxins and toxins.

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So have you decided to replace your favorite side dishes with vegetables? Just come to their choice responsibly. Ordinary potatoes will give more benefit if you use them separately from meat. And your stomach will not thank you for tomatoes that were ripped unripe and ripened in a box on the way to the store. The same applies to other vegetables brought from afar.

It is better to choose seasonal vegetables, buy them at local fairs directly from farmers, then you will get both benefit and pleasure from your food.